Interested in welding? Here’s how to get started…

If you’re interested in learning welding as a career skill, then the only real way to go about it is an apprenticeship from a certified welding school. Aside from the wealth of professional, experienced advice you’ll have access to here, welding apprenticeships are often paid opportunities, and can give you a route into a prosperous career. If you’ve got your heart set on a welding apprenticeship, here are some helpful tips for going about it.

Talk to Some Trade Groups

One of the best places to start when trying to find more information on welding apprenticeships is trade groups. In the US, the American Welding Society is the official trade group responsible for certifying welders. This association will also provide all kinds of information to anyone who’s trying to pursue a welding apprenticeship or career. Furthermore, they’re the main body for certifying welding training and testing locations, and therefore can be a great place to source recommendations for a local training facility. There are a lot of different paths you can take in the later stages of your welding career, but the one sure-fire way to start is reaching out to trade groups.

Talk to Some Metal Artisans

It’s not hard to see why so many people are attracted to welding as a trade, and the prospect of being a metal artisan. There’s a lot of pride to be had in being part of a niche that’s so necessary and unique. A world without welders, after all, would be a pretty empty one! Having said that, the art of welding certainly isn’t as easy as it looks to the inexperienced outsider, so it’s a good idea to talk to someone more experienced to really decide whether it’s for you. Look up some local metal artisans, and see if you can find one who will let you shadow them through a typical day of work. As busy as they are, you’d be surprised by how many artisans are receptive to this kind of proposition. They’ll be able to point you towards the best apprenticeships, give you pointers for basic techniques and sourcing gear from outlets like Welding Outfitter, and will also be able to give you a few warnings of common mistakes in the early stages of your career. You’ve probably got a lot of questions, so ask the pros!

Look into Hands-On Learning

While training facilities, community colleges and so forth can offer some excellent guidance when it comes to learning welding, make sure you’re not ignoring the possibility of learning at a company. A lot of advancements have occurred in recent years which have made it possible for new fields for manufacturing, aerospace, and even green energy firms to employ apprentice welders. If you’re into the idea of travelling, you may even be able to find some good hands-on opportunities outside of your home country as well! Despite what some people say, the niche of welding is advancing all the time, opening up all kinds of unique and exciting working opportunities for apprentices.

Have you considered a career as welder? Let us know what you think below.

Source: Wikimedia